07/26/18
I was driving between Charlotte and Myrtle Beach for work and had time for a quick detour to Scott's in Hemingway, SC. I'd heard a lot about this place but had never before had the opportunity to make my way to this very rural area of SC. Scott's has been profiled by Bourdain, Zimmern, and scores of other folks, and it spawned one of my favorite restaurants in the U.S. - Rodney Scott's BBQ in Charleston. In terms of devotion to cooking whole hogs, it is like nowhere else I've been, and I lived in Eastern NC, the home of whole hog BBQ, for a couple years. There's a hut where pitmasters roast/smoke whole hogs over wood fire all day and night, as well as a country store with a little window where you order. A few other items are scattered on the menu (smoked chicken, pork rinds, and basic sides), but all you need to know is to order the pork. The meat is dabbed with a delicate vinegar and pepper sauce throughout the cooking process which adds a nice bite to the slow cooked pork. I usually find pulled pork can be kind of bland and can take on too much flavor from whatever sauce it is served with (especially vinegar sauces), but this sauce expertly complements the smoky meat. It is also pulled from all different parts of the pig, so you get different textures and flavors. I grabbed 2 pounds ($11 per pound) of meat so I could take some home and freeze for a later date. Pulled pork isn't my favorite BBQ meat, but this is among the best I've ever had. If you find yourself in east/central SC and have time for a detour, make your way to Hemingway for a unique experience and great pork. Also worth noting this place is cash only.